AGE:  47

PROFESSION:  Former pro tennis player. Now, I’m a Registered Dietitian (RD) & MSc in Human Nutrition. At the moment I’m working with the Danish Association of Elite athletes – more specifically the Olympic sailors.

HOMETOWN:  Copenhagen, Denmark

COLLEGE:  Registered Dietitian (RD), Master of Science (MSc) in Human Nutrition, and BA (Market Economist Business Degree) at Copenhagen University.

FAVORITE FOOD:  Chicken. Sushi. Bread. Breakfast is without a doubt my favorite meal of the day.

FAVORITE PLACE VISITED:  The Maldives & The Seychelles. I’ve always been fond of the South of France and Paris, London and the Mediterranean, especially the Spanish island, Mallorca (Majorca).

FAVORITE PLACE LIVED:  During a part of my childhood I grew up in Vancouver, Canada, so I’m quite fond of that place. I also lived a short while in Namibia, South Africa, but my favorite place is for sure Los Angeles where I lived for 5 years (2002-2007). Would love to move back with my family.

PLACE YOU WANT TO VISIT:  Australia

FAVORITE MOVIE:  “Lord of the rings” (The trilogy – 2001) and the drama “Fried Green Tomatoes” (1991).

FAVORITE SINGER:  Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross, Kenny Loggins, Al Jarreau & George Michael.

HOBBIES:  Tennis. Horseback riding. Traveling – especially if the purpose is an active holiday. When living in LA, I often vacationed on a cattle ranch in Arizona as a wrangler and played polo in Palm Springs. During my time in Namibia in South Africa, I worked my way through the country as a horseback guide. I also did trapeze once a week in the valley in Los Angeles which was super fun and a great workout.

BACKGROUND:  I have played professional tennis since 1981 and have represented my country, Denmark, on the National team over a period of 10 years. I still represent Denmark abroad as a senior or ‘veteran’ (+30 y/o) as we call it here in Denmark and play foreign tournaments when opportunities arise. During my 5 years in LA, I represented Southern California in team tennis and won the 2006 US National Western Mixed Doubles Championships. I have also been a horseback rider since age 6 and have participated in several “fox”-hunts (no live foxes though!), show jumping and “three-day eventing” (called ‘military’ here in Denmark: Dressage, show jumping and cross-country/terrain jumping).

What is your current routine?  I play tennis 2-3 times a week, which unfortunately is all at this point. So when I coach tennis on the side, I try to get as much involved as possible by moving around a lot in order to get a bit more exercise in, and my clients find it motivating so it’s a ‘win-win’. My future plan is to work up a daily routine this summer and get back in great shape so that I can play in more tennis tournaments without injuries.

What is your motivation to stay in shape?  Good health! Being able to live an active every day life. Now being a mom of two boys, I find it even more motivating to stay in shape as it allows me to have fun with my kids in an active way and as a counterbalance to the intruding digital screens (opportunities).

What is your greatest challenge to staying in shape?  Time and lack of energy! Since moving back to Copenhagen, I have started a family and changed my profession, which led to seven challenging years (having two kids and getting nutrition degrees). My interest in nutrition grew along with my role as a mother, so I became a registered dietitian with a Master of Science in Human Nutrition. I want to be a good role model for my kids where a healthy and active lifestyle is important to them and a long lasting lifelong habit.  

What is your key to success?  Perseverance, determination and discipline are my strengths combined with a good portion of dry Danish humor.

What do you like about Sonki Fitness and how has it affected your life?  My “Up an inch, down an inch” Sonki Fitness story originated in 2004 when I lived in Brentwood. One day while in line at Whole Foods, I entered a drawing and won 3-months of Sonki Fitness training. So three times a week, I rode my bike down to Santa Monica early in the morning to train with Sonki before work (as a Senior Trade Officer at the Danish Trade Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs). I immediately took a liking to Sonki’s fantastic workouts and loved working out on the beach, running up and down the incline, doing the stairs, and training in beautiful Palisades Park (with the stunning views of the West Coast and the Pacific Ocean). Sonki was and still is a great inspiration, and if I was even 10% like him in regards to training discipline I’d be “over-the-moon.” We’ve stayed in touch over the years and back in 2012 he visited me and my family here in Copenhagen, which was so much fun. I would love to train with him again regularly, as he is someone I look up to. “Up an inch, down an inch” is forever imprinted in my brain ;0)

What advice would you give to others about fitness?  Spend time finding what is suitable and feasible for you at this moment in life and be open-minded to reassessing everything as your life progresses. Find a routine that is realistic and sustainable so that you stick with it even when the going gets tough. And when you get into a rut where exercising seems almost impossible, find someone to partner up with. For me that someone was Sonki back then, and I miss having that Sonki Fitness “treat”

Any other comments?  I believe that to evolve as a person and enjoy life, you have to stay positive and open-minded with a great sense of humor. Go for the opportunities that arise, be sensible and stay grounded.